The Effects of Different Fungi on the IL-1β Expression in Mouse Dendritic Cells

Background: Invasive fungal infection received more and more attention because of its high mortality, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common pathogenic fungus for systematic fungal infection, A. lentulus was isolated and identified recently and named as a sister of A. fumigatus. Objectives: The current study aimed to explore the concentration and time-dependent relationships of the virulence of fungi due to the change in the Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) level. Methods: Candida albicans, A. fumigatus, and A. lentulus suspensions with a multiplicity of infection = 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 units were used to treat mouse dendritic cells. The IL-β level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after the treatment was administered. Results: The main effects and interactions between the multiplicity of infection, intervention duration, and the dependent variable of IL-1β were significant. Besides, there were statistically significant differences. Only C. albicans and A. lentulus could induce IL-1β 48 hours after administration. Furthermore, the production of IL-1β induced by A. fumigatus was higher than that induced by A. lentulus and C. albicans. Conclusions: This study demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent relationships in IL-1β production by dendritic cells induced by three types of fungi. Candida albicans and A. lentulus exhibited a slow phase-in in vitro inflammation induction. The inflammatory response induced by A. fumigatusin vitro has the characteristics of a short action time and a strong toxic effect. Finally, A. lentulus is less virulent than A. fumigatus, and its inflammation-inducing time is relatively longer.